‘Investigate no-case decision’

Minister wants MACC to probe release of logs, vehicles seized during raid on illegal logging

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah calls for a thorough investigation into the ‘no case’ decision by the investigation committee on the alleged illegal timber logging in Bintulu.

Smelling a rat, he said Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) should also look into this matter to investigate whether there is any case of officials acting beyond their powers.

He was responding to The Borneo Post front page article headlined ‘ Puzzled over release of seized logs, machinery worth millions’ dated Nov 1, where the director of Forest Department Sapuan Ahmad had confirmed the release of the logs and vehicles seized during the raid on alleged illegal timber logging.

I smell something not right here and the public ought to know. The state government is going all out to weed out illegal loggings and every new case of seizure is very welcomed by members of the public. Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports

According to the article, in August, a joint raid was conducted by a company and Sarawak Forest Corporation (SFC) during which about RM7 million worth of illegal logs and heavy machinery were seized in Bintulu.

A police report was lodged at Tatau Police Station and subsequently over 3,500 logs and 14 units of heavy machinery were handed over to Forest Department by SFC for appropriate action.

When contacted last week, Sapuan disclosed that a committee set up to probe the case came to the conclusion that there was no case against the companies which logged the area.

The director further pointed out that the decision was not his but that of the investigating committee, adding that as director, he accepted the findings of his committee and sanctioned the release of the vehicles and logs.

On this, Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said: “I smell something not right here and the public ought to know. The state government is going all out to weed out illegal loggings and every new case of seizure is very welcomed by members of the public.”

Adding on, he said when a ‘no case’ decision is made, it reflects that chopping down of the trees and logging are in compliance with the law of the land.

“Or cou ld it be t hat t he committee is pressured to make that decision?” he asked.

“Even the director of Forests has to make a statement that the decision is not his but the committee. I smell a rat here and wish to see a more thorough investigation. MACC should also look into this matter and whether there is any element of officials acting beyond their powers. I am just not happy when I read about this matter,” Abdul Karim said.

He pointed out that if indeed the logging was done without infringing any laws, the logging company should sue Forestry ( Department) for i l legal ly confiscating their logs and machinery as well as claim for damages.

Industry players had expressed their dismay on the release of 3,500 logs and 14 vehicles seized in the joint raid on illegal loggers when all evidences were pointing towards illegal activities.

It was repor ted t hat t he authorities concerned had been urged to probe the committee’s conclusion that there was no case against the companies which felled the trees in the area despite the comprehensive report on their activities in the concession area.

Players also demanded that members of the commit tee making the decision be made known to the public, especially to industry players and also reveal the decisions made in other cases of illegal logging highlighted in the media frequently.